Trojans Fall to Chattanooga Despite Strong Start

Tuesday, November 12

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

0-2,0-0Sun Belt

Chattanooga

2-1,0-0SoCon

Chattanooga

Troy University

Photo by: Chris Davis

Trojans Fall to Chattanooga Despite Strong Start

11/12/2019 8:42:00 PM | Basketball (M)

Box Score Chattanooga Pictures (Chris Davis)Photo Gallery

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. -- Despite enjoying a 12-point lead at the half, the Troy Trojans basketball program fell 74-68 to Chattanooga Tuesday evening at Trojan Arena.

In defeat, Zay Williams scored a new career-best 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Darian Adams scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds.

The Trojans (0-2) started quickly Tuesday night, grabbing an early 23-9 advantage with 11:35 remaining in the first half behind five quick 3-point field goals. The early spurt pushed the Trojans to a 39-27 halftime advantage.

Following the halftime break, Chattanooga (2-1) caught fire from deep, outscoring the Trojans 47-29 over the final period. After shooting 8-16 from deep in the first half, the Trojans connected on just two of 10 second half 3-pointers.

Senior Charles Norman added 11 points (4-7 FG), three rebounds and two assists, while Ty Gordon scored seven points, grabbed five rebounds and recorded eight assists.

Troy returns to action on Saturday night at Indiana. Tip-off from Alumni Hall is scheduled for 7 p.m.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
• Troy falls to 0-2 this season when leading at the half.
• The Trojans made double-digit 3-pointers for the second consecutive game.
• Troy dished out 17 assists on 26 made baskets tonight.
• Troy outrebounded UTC 47-37 overall and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds.
• Through two games the Trojans are assisting on 66 percent of made field goals.
• The Trojans led Tuesday night for almost 35 minutes.
• Troy shot just 6-19 from the free throw line. It was the Trojans lowest percentage at home since Dec. 15, 2005 against Alabama State when Troy shot 3-10.
• Williams' previous career best was 14 points against Carver College.
• His eight rebounds were also a career best.
• Adams has now connected on four 3-pointers in back-to-back contests. The junior had previously made four threes' just once prior to this season.
• KJ Simon added seven rebounds and three steals tonight, tying his previous career best in both categories. Simon grabbed seven rebounds last Dec. 3 at Florida State.
• He has now posted back-to-back three steal games.

HEAD COACH SCOTT CROSS:
"Tonight was definitely a tale of two halves and was a very disappointing result. In the first half our guys were locked in and we couldn't have played a better defensive half. In the second half we got complacent and they hit a couple of wide open 3-pointers where nobody was within 10 feet of the shooter. Our guys didn't do a good job of communicating tonight, and that's why you saw so many guys be so wide open. Our defense is designed to limit wide open 3-pointers, so we need to address that. I think Chattanooga starting the half so quickly set the tone. We didn't have the energy or the defensive balance in the second half. It's my job to figure out a way to get our guys better and keep us locked in. We're going to get better, but unfortunately, we didn't get it done tonight. It was a disappointing result."

On the lack of success from the free throw line:
"The results tonight were all mental. Every time they were creeping back into the game, we noticed the scoreboard and put more pressure on ourselves. The more pressure you feel the harder it is to shoot free throws. We practice free throws, and even practiced them today. We made them make 80 percent from the line as a team before we left practice. It took us two or three tries, but we were shooting game shots and game free throws. The problem tonight was we felt the game pressure. We could see the score and could feel them chipping away and it becomes harder. It's unfortunate because you're not going to a win a game shooting 6-19 from the line."